How's this for a fringe benefit? I was at the brand-new, $250-million, 2.9-mile, 14-turn Autodromo Algarvein Portimão, Portugal, to take a guest-ride on the #21 Ducati, Troy Bayliss' World Championship-winning 1098 F08. But I also got seat time aboard World Supersport Champion Andrew Pitt's Ten Kate Hannspree Honda CBR600RR. Cool deal, eh?

After riding the 200-hp Ducati that "did the double" the day before in the WSB finale, I hopped on the #88 Honda. TenKate sure knows how to build a World Supersport bike, amassing a total of seven championships, including in 2008...not to mention James Toseland's World Superbike title in 2007. After I rode the Bayliss Ducati, the CBR600RR did feel like a "Pitt bike."

It was so much fun!

Super-controllable power, light steering effort and great braking capability; every facet of this motorcycle has gone through micro-refinement. It has one of the best characteristics of a great bike: perfect balance. This CBR600RR made the difficult-to-learn circuit, even with its slippery surface and blind entries, the best rollercoaster I've ever ridden on Pirelli Diablo Super Corsa rails.

I think I need one...